Facing the moment of giving birth is one of the most memorable experiences for a woman. However, after the joy of birth, many new mothers actually feel something unexpected: feelings of sadness, anxiety, worthlessness, not being worthy of being a mother, crying for no apparent reason, and being irritable. This phenomenon is known as Baby Blues.
What is Baby Blues?
Baby Blues is an emotional condition experienced by around 30-80% of women after giving birth. Baby Blues generally appears in the first few days to two weeks after giving birth. This condition is characterized by rapid mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, deep sadness, and sometimes difficulty bonding with the baby. Baby Blues can be said to be different from postpartum depression . Baby Blues is temporary and usually improves within a few weeks without the need for special treatment, while postpartum depression is more severe and requires professional help.
Why Does Baby Blues Often Occur?
There are several factors that cause Baby Blues to often be experienced by women who have just given birth:
1. Hormonal Changes
After giving birth, hormones present during pregnancy in high amounts such as estrogen and progesterone can drop drastically. This decrease in hormones affects mood and can cause excessive feelings of anxiety and sadness.
2. Physical Changes and Fatigue
The labor process is very physically demanding, and the body needs time to recover. Plus, lack of sleep from caring for a newborn can make mothers very tired, which contributes to mood swings .
3. New Responsibilities
Facing the new role of motherhood can be overwhelming . Feelings of anxiety about parenting abilities, uncertainty, and fear of failure often weigh on new mothers.
4. Lack of Emotional Support
New mothers need help and support from those closest to them, such as family and friends. When this support is minimal, feelings of isolation and loneliness can worsen the symptoms of Baby Blues.
Learn the Signs of Baby Blues
Here is a more in-depth explanation of some of the common signs experienced by women with Baby Blues:
1. Easily Crying Without Any Clear Reason
One of the main symptoms of Baby Blues is an overwhelming emotional state, which can make a new mother cry for no apparent reason. This can be triggered by the major hormonal changes that occur after giving birth, as well as feeling overwhelmed by the big changes in her life. She may feel vulnerable and touched by little things that didn't bother her before.
2. Feeling Tired All the Time But Having Trouble Sleeping
Giving birth and caring for a newborn is physically and emotionally exhausting, leaving mothers feeling exhausted all the time. However, even though their bodies need rest, stress and anxiety often make it difficult for mothers to fall asleep or stay asleep. Constant thoughts or worries about the baby can lead to insomnia, which can worsen fatigue.
3. Feelings of sadness that come and go
Feelings of sadness that suddenly appear and disappear are a common characteristic of Baby Blues. This may occur due to hormonal imbalances and emotional adaptation to new responsibilities. These feelings can appear for no apparent reason and then gradually improve, but often come back at unexpected times.
4. Worrying excessively about the baby or yourself
Anxiety is another common symptom, where new mothers feel very worried about the health and safety of their baby. They may feel inadequate or unsure about how to properly care for their baby. In addition, there is anxiety about the changes that are happening to themselves, both physically and emotionally, which can make them feel less confident.
5. Having Difficulty Concentrating
Feelings of confusion or “brain fog” are common among women with Baby Blues. They may find it difficult to concentrate on simple tasks or remember things they used to do easily. This may be due to physical exhaustion, lack of sleep, and emotional stress experienced after giving birth.
6. Feeling Unable to Handle Daily Tasks
The new responsibilities of being a mother can make mothers feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with daily tasks. Small things like tidying the house or cooking dinner can seem overwhelming and overwhelming. These feelings are often accompanied by low self-esteem and fear that they are not being a good mother.
How to Overcome Baby Blues?
Although Baby Blues often goes away on its own, there are several things you can do to help speed up the recovery process:
1. Support from Family and Friends
Emotional support is essential. Talking about feelings with your husband, family, or friends can reduce the emotional stress you feel.
2. Get enough rest
Sleep can be hard to come by when caring for a newborn, but finding time to sleep or rest whenever possible can help combat fatigue.
3. Don't Hesitate to Ask for Help
There is nothing wrong with asking for help, whether it is taking care of the baby temporarily, cooking, or doing housework. Reducing the burden of daily tasks can give you more time for yourself.
4. Make Time for Yourself
Make time for things that relax you, like taking a warm bath, reading a book, or going for a walk to give yourself some time.
When to Seek Professional Help?
If your feelings of sadness and anxiety do not go away after two weeks, or if your symptoms worsen, such as difficulty caring for your baby, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, contact a healthcare professional. These may be signs of postpartum depression, which requires further treatment. Baby blues are common for many new mothers and should not make you feel like a failure as a mother. With the right support, most women can get through this phase and return to motherhood with joy.
Article written by Dr. William Surya Atmadja, Sp.KJ (Psychiatric Specialist, EMC Pulomas & Alam Sutera Hospital).